EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — State Rep. Vince Perez has raised alarms about a newly acquired Department of Homeland Security facility in eastern El Paso County, warning it may lack the necessary water pressure and infrastructure for fire suppression systems.
Perez is urging El Paso County Emergency Services District No. 2 (ESD2) to withhold permits until these issues are resolved.
Public documents confirm DHS has acquired an entire industrial block within the Eastwind Industrial subdivision, which falls under ESD2’s jurisdiction.
Perez highlighted the area’s rapid industrial growth, noting that water infrastructure may not have been designed for large-scale developments, potentially compromising fire hydrants and internal suppression systems.
“When a facility may be used to house or confine people, questions about water pressure and fire suppression can’t be left unanswered,” Perez said. “Permits should not be issued unless there is clear, verifiable proof that the infrastructure can support those systems under real emergency conditions.”
Perez has communicated these concerns in a letter to ESD2 Commissioners, with copies sent to El Paso County leadership, advocating for strict enforcement of fire and life-safety standards before the facility becomes operational.
“So over the past several days, my staff has been reviewing publicly available documents filed with the county of El Paso. And these records confirm that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently acquired an entire industrial block within the East Wind Industrial Subdivision in the city of Socorro. That site falls under the jurisdiction and permitting jurisdiction and fire safety jurisdiction of El Paso County Emergency Services District 2, or ESD2. The city of Socorro does not have its own fire department like the city of El Paso does,” said Perez.
“So if the water pressure isn’t there when it’s needed most then these systems fail These risks exist for any large industrial facility But if a facility is used to house or detain people then it changes completely When human lives are involved there is no margin of for error Fire suppression systems are only as effective as the infrastructure behind them,” he continued.
Perez’s letter urges ESD2 to withhold any required fire or occupancy permits unless there is clear, verifiable proof that sufficient water pressure and fire suppression capacity exist to protect human life.
“Ultimately, this is about accountability. The infrastructure and safety must come first. The permits should follow proof, not assumptions,” he said.
“I do believe that there was somebody at DHS who just didn’t do their homework when they looked at this facility. They just saw a large warehouse. They saw it was big enough. They saw it was in this area that they needed it,” Perez said.
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